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Laviolette, Richards, Granato Named Assistant Coaches

By USAHockey.com, 07/23/13, 6:43AM MDT

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Peter Laviolette (Franklin, Mass./Philadelphia Flyers), Todd Richards (Crystal, Minn./Columbus Blue Jackets) and Tony Granato (Downers Grove, Ill./Pittsburgh Penguins) will serve as assistant coaches for the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team it was announced today by USA Hockey.

Laviolette has been the head coach of the NHL's Philadelphia Flyers since the 2009-10 season and guided the club to the Stanley Cup Final in 2010. Before beginning his tenure in Philadelphia, Laviolette was the head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes for parts of five seasons (2003-09). During his time there, he led the Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup and Southeast Division titles in 2005-06, as well as franchise records for wins (52) and points (112) in that same season. The Franklin, Mass., native is a two-time member of the U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team as a player (1988, 1994) and also served as the head coach of the 2006 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team. In addition, he has twice been the head coach of U.S. Men's National Team in the International Ice Hockey Federation Men's World Championship (2004, 2005).

Richards has spent nearly two seasons as head coach of the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets after joining the team as an assistant coach before the 2011-12 season. Prior to his time in Columbus, Richards was the head coach of the Minnesota Wild for two seasons (2009-11). In 2008-09, Richards was an assistant coach with the San Jose Sharks, helping the club to the Presidents Trophy and 117 points that season. Richards also coached in the American Hockey League from 2002-06, including as an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Admirals during the team's 2004 Calder Cup championship. On the international front, Richards served as an assistant coach of the 2010 U.S. Men's National Team that competed in the IIHF Men's World Championship.

Granato has been an assistant coach with the National Hockey League's Pittsburgh Penguins for the past four seasons, where he oversees Pittsburgh's forwards and penalty killing units. Before coming to Pittsburgh, Granato spent six years in the Colorado Avalanche organization, including three seasons as head coach (2002-04, 2008-09). Granato played 13 seasons in the NHL with three different teams (New York Rangers, Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks), receiving the NHL's Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for the 1996-97 season for his dedication to the game of hockey. Internationally, Granato represented the United States at the 1988 Olympic Winter Games as a member of the U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team.

USA Hockey also announced the support staff for the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team, including video coordinator Andy Saucier (Pittsburgh, Pa./Pittsburgh Penguins); equipment managers Pete Rogers (Franklin, Tenn./Nashville Predators) and Ray Thill (Chicago, Ill./Tampa Bay Lightning); athletic trainers Tom Mulligan (New Bedford, Mass./Tampa Bay Lightning) and Stan Wong (Boca Raton, Fla.); team physician Dr. Mike Stuart (Rochester, Minn.); and massage therapist Ainar Treiguts (Detroit, Mich./Detroit Red Wings). In addition, Dave Fischer (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Mike Gilbert (Buffalo, N.Y./Buffalo Sabres) will serve as the communications staff for the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team.

NOTES: The appointment of the assistant coaches and support staff of the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team is subject to the approval of the United States Olympic Committee’s Games Preparation Division ... The 2014 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team is under the direction of David Polie, general manager; Ray Shero, associate general manager; Brian Burke, director of player personnel; and Jim Johannson, assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey ... Dan Bylsma has been named head coach of the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team ... USA Hockey's international council, chaired by Gavin Regan, vice president of USA Hockey, has oversight responsibilities for all U.S. National Teams ... The 2014 Olympic Winter Games will take place Feb. 7-23, 2014, in Sochi, Russia.

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